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Welcome back to the table! This week Arcadia, Malcolm, and Jess talk about Star Wars! These folks tried the Star Wars TTRPG on for size. There is just something about that universe that calls to us. Jess’s nickname comes out…CP-3O! Our folks of course dove in and as usual, homebrew came into play. The character creation bit was tricky but when learning a new system there are always hiccups. Using the quickstart guide hooked our intrepid adventurers with some of those mechanics. The mechanics do play to the cinematic speed of the SW universe. Learning on the fly seems to be our MO as well. Our forever GM did divert from the module because reasons. Knowing this universe was helpful for the narrative through the game, yet still leaves space for new lore. The dice pool resolution was a bit clunky to learn but it may be a thing with familiarity. And of course whoopity s@#$, back to Star Wars.

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XP Is XP: The Many Faces of Role-Playing

Arcadia, Malcolm, and Jess are in the studio this week while Tori is off gaming at her other table—because let’s be honest, every table needs their rogue.

This episode dives into a conversation that’s close to many gamers’ hearts: video games versus tabletop RPGs. The crew explores what makes each experience unique, starting with one of the biggest differences—the human element. Around a physical table, you can see your friends laugh, react, and connect. Video games, on the other hand, sometimes take that face-to-face energy away… but they bring their own kind of magic.

Jess admits she’s our resident video gamer, while Arcadia and Malcolm explore how both kinds of gaming can serve different needs. Whether it’s stress relief, immersion in another world, or just a healthy bit of dissociation, digital games offer plenty of benefits. And yet, as we’ve discussed in past episodes, TTRPGs offer something deeply personal: connection, creativity, and those small rituals that make every session feel special (snacks included).

The group also talks about safety in online anonymity—how it can let you try on different versions of yourself or make choices you might hesitate to make in person. But there’s also something to be said for the freedom of the tabletop sandbox, where imagination sets the limits and the dice decide the rest.

In the end, both experiences can offer community, catharsis, and that little serotonin hit we all chase. So why not both?

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Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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How Local Game Shops Became the Heart of Our Hobby

This week, Malcolm, Arcadia, and Jess dive into a topic close to every gamer’s heart — local game shops! These hometown heroes are the backbone of every local gaming scene.

Back in the day, hobby shops weren’t solely focused on gaming. Model kits and crafting supplies dominated the shelves, while games were often tucked into a small corner with maybe one lonely bookshelf of rulebooks. Jess’s introduction to local game stores came a little later, when they had grown into more well-rounded spaces — places where you could find everything from dice and minis to the latest adventures and accessories.

Game stores have always been essential hubs for discovering new games, meeting fellow players, and finding your community. Over time, they’ve evolved from simple retail spaces into true gathering places — where you can learn, play, and connect with like-minded folks.

While many shops faded for a while due to the rise of digital content, the past decade has brought a renaissance of local gaming. Where once there were only one or two stores in a city, now there might be eight or ten thriving spaces! This resurgence reflects the growing appreciation for in-person play, community, and shared storytelling.

Games have never been just for kids — they’ve always been for anyone ready to imagine, laugh, and roll the dice together.

Welcome to the table, friends — there’s room for all!

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Welcome back to the table! Malcolm sits down with Rachel Vosgrove and Wesley Magee-Saxton, the founders of Forge Ahead: A Party to Access, to discuss their mission to make gaming more inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities.

Rachel and Wesley share how their organization works to remove barriers—both physical and social—that can make it difficult for people with disabilities to fully participate in tabletop gaming. From ensuring that gaming spaces, tables, and tools are physically accessible to encouraging authentic representation in game worlds and materials, Forge Ahead is leading the charge toward a more inclusive community.

The conversation explores the importance of visibility, accurate representation, and allyship within the gaming community. As more players see the benefits that people with disabilities bring to the table, it opens minds, strengthens communities, and creates richer storytelling experiences for everyone.

Malcolm, Rachel, and Wesley also discuss how allies can help support and include friends with disabilities in meaningful, positive ways both at and away from the gaming table.

Our Sources:
Forge Ahead: A Party to Access Website

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Supporting Veterans, One Game at a Time

Welcome back to the table! Malcolm and Tori sit down with Jason Cottom, founder of Dungeons & Dogtags, to talk about the power of tabletop role-playing games to bring people together and support those who’ve served.

Jason shares the inspiration behind his organization and how it creates safe, welcoming spaces for veterans and active-duty personnel to connect, heal, and grow through storytelling and community. Their conversation explores the therapeutic benefits of gaming, the unique challenges veterans face, and the lasting impact of having a seat at the table.

Jason also discusses how others can get involved—whether by volunteering, supporting the mission, or simply helping spread the word.

Our Sources:

• Dungeons & Dogtags Website
• Dungeons & Dogtags Facebook

Music Credit:

Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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Oddfish Games has a great adventure engine which the FA gang uses to flesh out a part of Atoria’s map. There is a caveat here, this is the first time we have used the system. We used it to give some back story for a blank spot on the map of Atoria. The four of us talk through how these help storytellers to enhance their stories. These cards can help you craft a more rich game experience. Radiance and the rest of their engine also are able to make any rpg experience a solo one. We had an absolute blast using this system and building out another part of our Homebrew world. Having the ability to spark ideas is awesome. With it being randomized, it gives situations that we may not automatically think of. Also Arcadia and Jess have an anime nerd moment. Having this system to help enhance your game is a great edition for your gaming library. Massive shout out to our friends at The Epic Adventure Podcast and Oddfish Games!

https://oddfishgames.com

https://oddfishgames.com/pages/the-epic-adventure-podcast

https://oddfishgames.com/products/radiance

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Another Epic Interview With OddFish Games

This week, we had the pleasure of interviewing Christina Stiso, one of the hosts of The Epic Adventure Podcast!

Christina is a game designer, GM, gamer, PhD student, and Creative Designer at Oddfish Games. She’s also a passionate advocate for inclusivity in gaming and serves as the Outreach Director for Tabletop Gaymers — the folks who hand out those iconic ribbons at conventions, helping create safe and welcoming spaces for everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Beyond the table, Christina explores how TTRPGs can be used as powerful educational tools. As a teacher herself, she brings games into the classroom to inspire creativity and engagement — even using Radiance to spark short stories and fuel her students’ imaginations.

We’re so grateful to Christina for joining us and sharing her insights. We can’t wait to see what she creates next!

Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

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Are You Ready for an Epic Interview?
After months of emails and coordination, we’re thrilled to feature our very first interview: Steve Kellams, host of The Epic Adventure Podcast. Together, we dive into our shared passions for TTRPGs and the power of podcasting as a medium.

Steve shares how his background in law enforcement and early strategy war games led him to the table. Combining a love of games and storytelling, he has been informing and entertaining listeners alongside Mike and Christina on Epic Adventure for three seasons. As a game runner, player, and designer, Steve keeps his finger on the pulse of the hobby, describing this era as nothing short of its Golden Age.

We love highlighting members of our community who uplift, support, and encourage rather than gatekeep, and Steve embodies that spirit.

While he’s keeping his cards close to the chest about what we might see from Oddfish Games at Gen Con 2026, we’re deeply grateful to him for making the time to join us. We can’t recommend Epic Adventure Podcast or Oddfish’s game products highly enough!

Music Credit:
Rise (Epic, Inspirational, Cinematic) by Artur Aravidi — licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

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